Assault weapons registration period opens today

In this weekend’s Gannett newspapers, we took a look at the opening of the state’s registration period for grandfathered-in assault weapons, as well as a limit on the number of rounds that can be placed in magazines.

In late February, a sea of several thousand gun-rights supporters stood on the state Capitol’s west lawn. While waving American flags and “Don’t Tread on Me” banners, they chanted over and over: “We will not comply.”

Starting this week, their message will be put to the test.

Monday marks a key date in the ongoing battle over the state’s controversial gun-control laws. A much-debated provision of the Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Act takes effect, prohibiting firearm owners from loading more than seven rounds into their magazines unless they’re at a range or in competition.

Also on Monday, owners of certain AR15 assault rifles and other semi-automatic guns with military-style features—the sale of which is now banned in New York—can begin registering their firearms with the state and have a year to do so.

The form will be available on State Police’s website beginning Monday, according to the agency. The registration requirement applies to anyone who owned such a gun before Jan. 15.

The provisions were among the hallmarks of the new law, which Gov. Andrew Cuomo shepherded through the Legislature in January as the state moved to become the first to enact new gun-control measures after the mass shooting in Newtown, Conn.